Before you buy the Lowepro, go to a store and make sure the camera/lens combination that you are planning on placing in the side pouch will fit. It's a very nice bag (you can purchase as a sling or backpack), but their online configuration tool ("will my camera fit?") is inaccurate, at least for this bag. It confirmed that my 5D3 with 70-200 will fit, and it will not, causing me to ask Lowepro for a return/exchange. This is not resolved yet (and I'm assuming, based on their reputation, that they will do something to make this right), but as of now, I'd advise caution regarding what will actually fit without physically testing.

I know . . . I'm better off looking for a unicorn than the "perfect" bag. Don't tell me it depends on what gear I want to carry, where I'm going to carry it and all the parameters that go into making the decision. I need a bag to hold my camera (Nikon D5500), 2 or 3 lenses (18-300 zoom and a prime or two), a shotgun mic, a flash, a 13" laptop, a compartment for some personal needs (a jacket/sweater, snacks, a toothbrush), it needs to work as a carry-on and be TSA-friendly. I have narrowed to 3 bags, and I'm wondering if any of you own any of the three, and might give me your pros and cons and tell me whether or not you would buy the bag again.

Pelican S130--I like the hard shells on the camera and laptop compartments--seems very protective. It would appear the bag meets all my other criteria. It's not cheap, but I'm not opposed to an investment if it's worth it.

Lowepro Fastpack BP 250 AW II--Again, seems to meet the criteria and I like that you can access the camera without taking the pack off completely.

Manfrotto Advanced Travel Backpack--I saw this at a local camera shop. While it seems like it would do the job, I wasn't overly impressed. Of course, that might have had more to do with the fact that they seemed completely uninterested in assisting me at the store. Not the best shopping experience.

thanks in advance for your thoughts
james

Consider the new line of bags from Peak Design. I have the original shoulder bag. It holds 2 bodies with lenses attached, and has room for a flash or another lens. It also has plenty of storage for cords, chargers, lens cleaners, brushes, spare batteries etc., along with an easily assessable slot for a small laptop or pad. Peak Design has added a new group of backpacks and smaller bags as well. The interiors can be configured in many ways since the sleeves are designed to bend and fold many directions. The bag is also water resistant, meets all National and International standards for carry on luggage and is compatible with all of the Peak Design strap systems which are also excellent. The only drawback I note is that the bags are not lockable.